As noted by 148apps.com, which first spotted the promo, "this is one of the first uses of promo codes for in-app purchases, which typically have been for obtaining paid apps."

If you visit this site on your iOS device, a landing page will load with an offer to "supercharge and customize your car with a FREE Gold Pack." You can also visit the site on the desktop and have EA email you a promo code.

Tap the "Redeem Free Gold" option and it will take you to Apple's gift card redeem page. Enter your Apple ID credentials, and you're good to go. Interestingly, if you don't already have Real Racing 3 installed on your iOS device, accepting the free gift from EA will automatically install the game.

Real Racing 3 is free to download, but players can get ahead by making various in-app purchases that range in price from $1.99 to $19.99. Since it's free, EA can't really drop the price of its app, but this in-app promo could help attract gamers who have a plethora of options when it comes to mobile entertainment.

According to an April report from App Annie, games made up 75 percent of revenue for the App Store and 90 percent on Google Play in the first quarter. Right now, for instance, seven of the top 10 paid iPhone apps are games, while eight of the top 10 free apps are games, too. Real Racing 3 sits at No. 181 on the free iPhone app charts as of Friday afternoon.

The promo comes about two weeks before Apple kicks off its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), which is expected to include details about iOS 8.

Chloe Albanesius has been with PCMag.com since April 2007, most recently as Executive Editor for News and Features. Prior to that, she worked for a year covering financial IT on Wall Street for Incisive Media. From 2002 to 2005, Chloe covered technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from American University...
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